This experiment was conducted to breed a very early-maturing variety of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) at the Grassland and Forage Crops Division, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, Cheonan, Korea, from 2022 to 2023. The new variety, named “Earlybird,” is a diploid variety characterized by green leaf color, a semi-erect growth habit in late autumn/fall, and an erect growth habit in early spring. With a heading date of April 30, Earlybird is categorized as a very early-maturing variety. Compared to the “Kowinearly” control variety, Earlybird’s flag-leaf width is wider by 0.2 mm, its flag-leaf length is longer by 1.4 cm, and its plant height is greater by 10.5 cm. Additionally, Earlybird’s ear length is 1.4 cm longer than Kowinearly's, and it exhibits lodging resistance. Although the dry matter yield of Earlybird (7,469 kg/ha) is smaller than that of Kowinearly, the difference is not statistically significant. The total digestible nutrient and crude protein content of Earlybird are 63.5% and 8.6%, respectively, which are higher than those of Kowinearly by 1.8% and 0.3%, respectively. The neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber content of Earlybird are 56.9% and 32.0%, respectively, which are lower than those of Kowinearly by 2.2% and 2.3%, respectively.

This study was conducted in Cheonan, the middle region of South Korea, to evaluate the forage characteristics of six medium maturing Italian ryegrass varieties: ‘Kowinmaster’, ‘IR 601’, ‘IR 602’, ‘IR 603’, ‘IR 604’ and ‘IR 605’. In growth characteristics, 'Kowinmaster' exhibited the earliest heading date on April 30, while 'IR 601' exhibited the latest on May 17. 'IR 601' exhibited the highest lodging resistance, and all varieties demonstrated excellent disease resistance, waterlogging tolerance, and cold tolerance. 'IR 603', 'IR 604', and 'IR 605' demonstrated above-average plant length, with 'IR 604' reaching the longest at 114.8 cm. In productivity, 'IR 602' and 'IR 605' produced the highest total dry matter yield, each exceeding 12,800 kg/ha. Regarding feed values, 'Kowinmaster' recorded the highest RFV and TDN at 119.18 and 66.07%, respectively, with 'IR 605' exhibiting the second highest. 'IR 604' and 'IR 601' demonstrated crude protein concentrations over 9%, with 'IR 604' exhibiting the highest at 9.74%. Analysis of monosaccharide content in Italian ryegrass revealed that 'IR 605' exhibited the highest glucose and fructose content at 23.35 g/kg and 50.70 g/kg, respectively. In summary, 'IR 602' exhibited the highest productivity, 'Kowinmaster' recorded the highest feed value, and 'IR 605' exhibited the highest glucose and fructose content. Therefore, 'IR 605' is considered the most outstanding variety due to its superior productivity, second highest feed value, and significant monosaccharide content.

This study was conducted to find a way to improve quality by observing changes in quality and microbial communities according to whether corn silage was treated with additives and the storage period, and to utilize them as basic research results. The experimental design was performed by 2˟4 factor desigh, and the untreated (CON), and the additive inoculated (ADD) silage were stored and fermented for 30 (TH), 60 (ST), 90 (NT), and 120 (OHT) days, with each condition repeated 3 times. There was no change in the nutrient content of corn silage according to additive treatment and storage period (p>0.05). However, the change in DM and the increase in the relative proportions of lactic acid content and Lactobacillales according to the storage period (p<0.05) indicate that continuous fermentation progressed until OHT days of fermentation. Enterobacterales (33.0%), Flavobacteriales (14.4%), Sphingobacteriales (12.7%), Burkholderiales (9.28%) and Pseudomonadales (6.18%) dominated before fermentation of corn silage, but after fermentation, the diversity of microorganisms decreased sharply due to the dominance of Lactobacillales (69.4%) and Bacillales (11.5%), Eubacteriales (7.59%). Therefore, silage maintained good fermentation quality with or without microbial additives throughout all fermentation periods, but considering the persistence of fermentation even in long-term storage and the aerobic stability, it would be advantageous to use microbial additives.

Understanding changes in fermentation characteristics and microbial populations of forage silage during ensiling is of interest for improving the nutrient value of the feed for ruminants. This study was conducted to investigate the changes in fermentation characteristics and bacterial communities of whole crop rice (WCR) silage during the ensiling period. The chemical compositions, pH, organic acids and bacterial communities were evaluated at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months after ensiling. The bacterial communities were classified at both the genus and species levels. The dry matter content of WCR silage decreased with the length of storage (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in crude protein and NDF contents. Following fermentation, the pH level of WCR silage was lower than the initial level. The lactic acid content remained at high levels for 3 to 6 months after ensiling, followed by a sharp decline at 12 months (p<0.05). Before fermentation, the WCR was dominated by Weissella (30.8%) and Pantoea (20.2%). Growth of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (31.4%) was observed at 3 months after ensiling. At 6 months, there was a decrease in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (10.2%) and an increase in Levilactobacillus brevis (12.8%), resulting in increased bacteria diversity until that period. The WCR silage was dominated by Lentilactobacillus buchneri (71.2%) and Lacticaseibacillus casei (27.0%) with a sharp reduction in diversity at 12 months. Overall, the WCR silage maintained satisfactory fermentation quality over a 12-month ensiling period. Furthermore, the fermentation characteristics of silage were found to be correlated to bacterial microbiome.

This study was conducted in Cheonan of central region in South Korea to evaluate the forage characteristics of early-maturing Italian ryegrass (IRG) within September, 2021 to June, 2023. The three different varieties of Italian ryegrass were prepared in this study 'Kogreen', 'Kospeed' and 'Kowinearly'. The results of heading date in this study, 'Kogreen' was the earliest in among cultivars and recorded 24th of April, whereas 'Kowinearly' was recorded the latest. In case of plant length parameter, 'Kowinearly' was the highest, in addition lodge tolerance score 'Kowinearly' also superior in whole cultivars. The dry matter yield of 'Kowinearly' was recorded significantly the highest (11,027 kg/ha), in contrast 'Kospeed' was recorded significantly the lowest (8,455 kg/ha). As a result of ADF and NDF content 'Kospeed' was recorded excellent value as compared the other two cultivars. The CP content of this study was excellent in the order of 'Kospeed' > 'Kowinearly' > 'Kogreen'. In case of the monosaccharides content 'Kogreen' had relatively higher glucose and fructose content than other four cultivars, therefore the 'Kogreen' has advantage for preparing high quality of silage. In conclusion, among the three different early varieties of Italian ryegrass, 'Kowinearly' was the superior in forage productivity, 'Kospeed' was the highest in feed value and 'Kospeed' had the highest in glucose and fructose content.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of storage type and period on the quality of rye hay. The rye “Gogu” was sown on October 15, 2020, and harvested on April 22, 2021 (heading stage). The rye hay was prepared in two wrapping conditions (wrapping and unwrapping) and two storage period (3 and 6 months). In regards to their visual appearance, the forage quality score was higher in wrapped rye hay than in unwrapped rye hay. In all groups, there was no difference in appearance between inside and outside. The moisture content of wrapped rye hay was maintained at the initial level until 6 months. However, the moisture content of unwrapped rye hay was increased at 3 months of storage, and then decreased at 6 months of storage. Crude protein content was higher in wrapped rye hay than in unwrapped rye hay, whereas NDF and ADF contents were lower within wrapped rye hay than within unwrapped rye hay (p<0.05). In conclusion, wrapping rye is effective method for long-term storage that reduces the effect of external environment.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of horse manure compost application on Italian ryegrass (IRG) yield and volcanic ash soil characteristics. Because the number of horses in Korea is growing, the amount of horse manure is growing. Jeju island, where about 55 % of the horses live, is composed of volcanic ash soil. This study was conducted for about 7 months. Sowing was conducted on October 2019. Harvesting was conducted at heading stage(2020.5.). Five treatments were established based on the horse manure compost composition. These were 100 % chemical fertilizer (CF), the combination of 50 % horse manure and 50 % chemical fertilizer (combination), horse manure with 50 % nitrogen (HM 50 %), horse manure with 100 % nitrogen (HM 100 %), and horse manure with 150 % nitrogen (HM 150 %). The plant height and dry matter yield were investigated to determine the forage yield and the soil characteristics of pH, total nitrogen, available phosphate, and organic matter were analyzed. The plant heights in the CF, combination, and HM 150 % treatments were 147.8 cm, 144.3 cm, and 147.1 cm respectively (Table 2). Dry matter yield in the CF treatment was about 23,807 kg/ha, which tended to be the highest dry matter yield. HM 150 % and the combination treatment were about 18,804 and 18,455 kg/ha, respectively, which tended to be the highest dry matter yield of the treatments amended with horse manure compost. The dry matter yield of the HM 100 % and HM 50 % treatments was about 15,801 kg/ha and 14,446 kg/ha, respectively (Table 2). The pH of the surface soil tended to increase after the experiment. The soil pH of the HM 150 % treatment was significantly higher than the soil pH of the other treatments. The pH was affected by the amount of horse manure compost, with a pH of 8.1. The available phosphate in the treatments in which horse manure compost was added was higher than the available phosphate in the CF treatment. And the available phosphate in the HM 150 % treatment was significantly higher than the available phosphate in the other treatments (p < 0.05)(Table 3). These results suggest that 50 % horse manure should be applied to IRG as the basal fertilizer and the remaining 50 % should be chemical fertilizer as the top fertilizer. This can provide the proper IRG dry matter yield with less effect on volcanic ash soil.

The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal digestible energy levels on pregnancy mares. Physical changes and fecal microorganism in pregnant horse and changes in birth characteristics of neonatal foals were investigated. The experiment was conducted by 18 mares (Jeju corssed bred, older than 36 months) into three treatment groups. The experimental diet consisted of 80%, 100%, 120% digestible energy levels based on NRC. The average daily intake was lower in the 120% (8.75±1.01) than the 100% (9.34±0.92), 80% (9.14±0.88) and there was significant difference (p<0.05). The feed efficiency was lower in the 120% than 80%, 100% (p<0.05). Total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride was higher in 120% than others (p<0.05). However there were no health problem and there was no difference between the treatment groups in the birth characteristics of neonatal foals. At the phylum level, Fibrobactres was difference by digestible energy levels, 80% (8.53%) was higher than 100%, 120%. At the genus level, Bacteroides and Kineothrix increased in fecal proportions with increasing digestible energy levels (p<0.05). Fibrobacter showed higher composition at 80% than 100% and 120% (p<0.05).

‘Gwangyoung’, a winter forage triticale cultivar (X Triticosecale Wittmack), was developed at the Department of Rice and Winter Cereal Crop, NICS, RDA in 2018. The cultivar ‘Gwangyoung’ has leaves of wide width, medium length, and green color, and spikes of medium length and yellowish-brown color, and a large grain of yellowish-brown color. The heading date of the cultivar ‘Gwangyoung’ was April 22 which was similar to check cultivar ‘Shinyoung’. Its tolerance or resistance to cold, lodging, wet injury powdery mildew, and leaf rust were also similar to those of the check cultivar. The leaf blade ratio of ‘Gwangyoung’ (27.5%) was higher than that of ‘Shinyoung’ (21.2%). The average forage fresh and dry matter yield of cultivar ‘Gwangyoung’ at milk-ripe stages were 50.0 and 17.6 MT ha-1, respectively, which were higher than those (47.7 and 17.1 MT ha-1) of the check cultivar. The silage quality of ‘Gwangyoung’ was lower than that of the check cultivar ‘Shinyoung’ in crude protein content (5.3%) and total digestible nutrients (61.3%), while was higher than the check cultivar in neutral detergent fiber (58.2%) and acid detergent fiber (34.9%). ‘Gwangyoung’ showed the silage of 1 grade and a grain yield of 6.03 MT ha-1.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding TMR(Total Mixed Ration) with Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai of Jeju cross-bred horses on the body weight and blood composition. Fourteen herds of Jeju cross-bred horses older than 36 months were selected as experimental animals. The experiment was conducted by dividing the herds into seven herds for feeding TMR with 20% Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai(treatment) and another seven herds for feeding TMR without Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai(control) and water were fed ad libitum. In the 12th week, the MPV(mean platelet volume) was statistically significantly higher with Sasa TMR than with control (p<0.05). However, both MPV levels are within a normal range and there were no health problems. With regard to the levels of cholesterol, there was a statistically significant difference between the 33.8±5.9 ㎎/㎗ with individual management and 25.4±8.2 ㎎/ ㎗ with control group (p<0.05). But It are also within a normal range and there were no health problems. In conclusion, feeding TMR with 20% Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai of Jeju cross-bred horses could be utilized as a feeding method for horse.

This study was conducted to figure out the productivity of Italian ryegrass(IRG) and leaching water characteristics based on horse manure compost level in Jeju. This study was conducted for about six months. Six treatments were established : non-fertilizer(NF), chemical fertilizer 100%(CF), horse manure compost 50% and chemical fertilizer 50% combination(Combination), horse manure compost with 50% of nitrogen (50%), 100% of nitrogen(100%), 150% of nitrogen(150%). The highest amount of dry matter yield of IRG was revealed in CF(11,965± 564 kg/ha), and both 150% and Combination were second(p<0.05). Nitrate leaching tended to increase until the third analysis and then decreased. There were not significantly differences among mean nitrate concentrations. The findings of the study suggest that horse manure compost with 50% of nitrogen be applied for IRG as basal fertilization and then 50% of chemical fertilizer be applied as top fertilization.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate winter annual forage crops for yield, and horse palatability under horse grazing during the fall and spring in Jeju. The winter annual forage crops such as Italian ryegrass(IRG), rye, and oat were planted in randomized block design in October 30. The horse grazing was initiated on March 17 of the following year. At the first cutting, the dry matter yield of rye was the highest with 4,600 kg/ha compared to the IRG and oat (p<0.05). But there were no significantly different in the yield of winter annual forage crops after the second and third harvests. The total dry matter yield showed rye 12,593 kg/ha, IRG 10,941 kg/ha, and oat 9,424 kg/ha respectively. The horse intake duration of the IRG was significantly higher than the oat and rye (p<0.05). In the first grazing and the second grazing, the intake duration of the IRG was 853.2 seconds and 989.4 seconds, respectively, with oat at 147.6 seconds, and 73.0 seconds, and rye at 89.4 seconds, and 33.18 seconds. The intake duration of IRG was longer than that of oat and rye (p<0.05). The intake rate of the IRG was 60.0% in the first and 82.8% in the second, and the average intake rate was 71.4%. When considering the maintenance of pastures and the palatability of horses, the IRG is the most suitable forage crop in winter annual forage crops in Jeju.

‘Luckyone 2ho’ is a new orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) cultivar developed by the National Institue of Animal Science (NIAS) in 2017. To develope the new variety of orchardgrass, 5 superior clones were selected and polycrossed for seed production. The agronomic growth characteristics and forage productivity of ‘Luckyone 2ho’ were examined at Cheonan from 2012 to 2014, and regional trials were conducted in Cheonan, Pheonchang, Jinju and Jeju from 2015 to 2017, respectively. ‘Luckyone 2ho’ showed medium type growth habit in fall, and medium in length of flag leaf and very long upper internode. Plant height of ‘Luckyone 2ho’ was 3 cm less than that of standard cultivar, ‘Potomac’ and heading date was 1 days later than 5th May compared to standard cultivar, ‘Potomac’. Characteristics such as waterlogging and disease resistance of ‘Luckyone 2ho’ were stronger or better than those of standard cultivar, ‘Potomac’, Especially, dry matter yield of ‘Luckyone 2ho’(15,980 kg/ha) increased 9 % compared to that of standard cultivar, ‘Potomac’(14,702 kg/ha). Nutritive values were appeared to be similar in both varieties except in Vitro dry matter digestibility(IVDMD) and crude protein and total digestible nutrients (TDN).

This study was to investigate the effect of the horse grazing intensity on the vegetation of the S. quelpaertensis, and the physiological changes of the horse. This experiment was conducted at the community of the S. quelpaertensis (altitude of 550m) with the grazing intensity of 1.0AU(500kg), 1.5AU(750kg) and 2.0AU(1,000kg) at 30m × 30m for one week, and then the growth characteristics of the S. quelpaertensis, the changes of the vegetation, the damages on trees and the changes in the physiological characteristics of the horses was investigated and compared before and after the horse grazing. As the results, the 2.0AU grazing land showed that the culm number had the inverse correlation (r=-0.902, P〈0.01) to the other lands and the species diversity index of lower-level vegetation showed the correlation (r=0.773, P〈0.01) as increasing the grazing intensity.

본 연구는 제주지역에서 초식동물의 방목을 위해 주로 이용되고 있는 한지형 목초의 경우에 여름철 하고기에 생산성이 저하되고 있어 여름철에 생산성을 높일 수 있는 난지형 목초를 도입하여 이용하기 위한 목적으로 수행되었다. 시험에 사용된 난지형목초는 Bermudagrass 품종(Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. : Giant, Cheyenne, Mohawk, Panchero Frio, Common, Tifton 85)과 Bahiagrass 품종(Paspalum notatum : TifQuik, Tifton 9)을 이용하였으며, 해발 450m고지에서 월동 후에 수확시기별 생산성 및 영양소 함량의 변화를 조사하였다. 시험구는 품종별로 8처리 3반복 난괴법으로 배치하여 수행하였다. 파종방법은 산파와 조파형태로 파종되었으며, Tifton 85 품종은 줄기 파종되었다. 시험결과를 보면 월동 후에 Bermudagrass와 Bahiagrass 품종 모두에서 동해에 의한 피해로 봄철에 재생이 대체로 늦었으며, 이중 줄기 파종되었던 Bermudagrass의 Tifton 85와 TifQuik, Tifton 9 품종이 다른 품종에 비해 동해에 비교적 강한 것으로 평가되었다. 생초와 건물수량은 품종에 따라 유의성 있는 차이를 보여 주었는데(p<0.05). Tifton 85, TifQuik 및 Tifton 9 품종의 생초 수량이 다른 품종에 비하여 우수하였으며, 건물수량은 Tifton 85와 Tifton 9 품종이 다른 품종에 비하여 우수하였다. 건물 함량에 있어서도 품종에 따라서 유의있는 차이를 보여주었고(p<0.05), Giant 품종이 다른 품종에 비하여 높은 결과를 나타내었다. 수확시기별 건물 함량은 Bermudagrass의 모든 품종에서 수확시기에 따른 차이를 보였다(p<0.05). 조단백질 함량도 품종에 따라 유의있는 차이를 나타내었고(p<0.05), Cheyenne, Mohawk, Panchero Frio와 Common 품종이 다른 품종에 비하여 높은 결과를 보여주었으며, Giant 품종에서는 파종방법과 수확시기에 따른 차이를 나타내었다(p<0.05). 조섬유 함량도 품종에 따라 차이를 나타내었으며(p<0.05), Tifton9 품종이 다른 품종에 비하여 유의있게 높은 함량을 보여주었고, 수확시기별 조섬유 함량은 Mohawk과 Tifton 85 품종에서 유의있는 결과를 나타내었다(p<0.05). 그리고 조회분 함량에 있어서도 품종에 따른 유의있는 차이를 보였으며(p<0.05), Cheyenne이 다른 품종에 비하여 유의있게 높은 함량을 보였다. 수확시기별 조회분 함량은 Cheyenne, Panchero Frio와 Tifton 85 품종에서 유의있는 결과를 나타내었고(p<0.05), 파종방법에 따른 차이는 Giant 품종에서 유의있는 결과를 보였다(p<0.05). 이러한 결과에 따르면 난지형 목초류는 품종에 따라 동해에 따른 재생능력, 생산성, 영양소 함량이 차이가 크게 나타나고 있어 이용목적에 따라 선택할 필요가 있으며, 이용을 확대하기 위하여서는 다양한 해발고도에서의 평가가 필요한 것으로 사료되었다.